Objective The proposal is to study non-equilibrium states of strongly correlated quantum systems relevant for heavy ion and condensed matter physics by using existing and developing new methods of gauge-string duality (also know as holography or AdS/CFT correspondence). The gauge-string duality is a set of non-perturbative tools developed within string theory over the last fourteen years. These methods can be used independently of the final status of the string theory itself. Strongly coupled model systems at finite temperature and density are of great interest for they appear in many areas of physics including physics of heavy ion collisions and physics of trapped cold atoms. Gauge-string duality methods already proved very useful in supplying information about transport properties such as viscosity and spectral functions of thermal quantum field theories at strong coupling.Specific goals of the proposal are divided into two sets, one including open problems in non-equilibrium systems accessible for study by the existing gauge/string duality techniques, and another involving more challenging problems requiring new holographic approaches. Problems of the first set include generalizing existing models of thermalization and isotropization, constructing simple model(s) describing the initial state of the quark-gluon plasma, exploring gravity backgrounds obtained by self-consistent top-down approach, studying theories with dual gravity backgrounds including full back-reaction. Problems of the second set involve holographic approach to turbulence and plasma instabilities, building holographic formalism for highly nonequilibrium processes and studying possible connection between holography and emergent gravity. Fields of science natural sciencesphysical sciencescondensed matter physicsnatural sciencesphysical sciencesquantum physicsquantum field theorynatural sciencesphysical sciencestheoretical physicsstring theory Programme(s) FP7-IDEAS-ERC - Specific programme: "Ideas" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) ERC-SG-PE2 - ERC Starting Grant - Fundamental constituents of matter Call for proposal ERC-2012-StG_20111012 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-SG - ERC Starting Grant Coordinator THE CHANCELLOR, MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD Address Wellington square university offices OX1 2JD Oxford United Kingdom See on map Region South East (England) Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Oxfordshire Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Gill Wells (Ms.) Principal investigator Andrei Starinets (Dr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window EU contribution No data Beneficiaries (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all THE CHANCELLOR, MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD United Kingdom EU contribution € 1 461 074,00 Address Wellington square university offices OX1 2JD Oxford See on map Region South East (England) Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Oxfordshire Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Gill Wells (Ms.) Principal investigator Andrei Starinets (Dr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Other funding No data